Fumes before the Fire (Last)

"Aigoo, how's the meat today, butcher? Are they all fresh?" A middle-aged lady with a big basket went close to the butcher's store in the morning.

"Eyy, even fresher than yesterday." The butcher replied while cutting the fresh piece of meat of the morning.

All the common citizens in the capital were all looking for food to feed their family. These days the trading between the surrounding Kingdoms was good, hence every shop was going on well.

"Aiyoo, Butcher, didn't you say that yesterday?" A court lady dressed in a purple dress came up to the butcher's store.

"Young lady! If you have nothing to say then don't say anything." A lady walked out from the store and warned half-heartedly.

"Jie Jie, I was just joking, but have you heard? The Empress' Palace was burned yesterday!"

"Oh dear, did that really happen?"

"En! I work for the Empress and saw her walk out from the fire with my two eyes! The heavens must have taken pity on the Empress and protected her! The Heavens are good and protect the good!"

All of the people looked relieved and had joy in their eyes as they listened to the court lady's story.

The court lady looked up in the sky while sniffing and dapping fake tears, "But poor Empress Feng and the Great General Feng, the Emperor does not even care about my lady. He even brought a concubine the day after my lady entered the palace. What's even more sad, the little prince...the little prince did not even get a name but died pitifully boo hoo hoo."

"Oh, young lady...why do we not know about this!? Great General Feng has been taking care of our Kingdom for so many years, and this is how his service is repaid!?" The wife of the butcher spoke with a full of fists.

A sharp sound was heard on the cutting board, "Wei! What you said, is that true!?" It was the butcher who had been cutting the meat silently all this time.

The court lady looked up from the butcher's wife to the butcher and then to the rest of the workers that were working inside the store. She could not help but swallow a big gulp, "Of course! I don't even know how long this mistreatment will go on!"

All the butchers in the store that had a serious look in their face all revealed an empathic look, "Poor Great General Feng! How could they do that to him..."

Right beside the butcher's store was the fish store and both began talking about the Great General's incident and how the Heavens took favour in the Empress.

Words began spreading and everyone was talking about it. However, just then around the middle of the marketplace, a big announcement was made from a Royal Guard, "Citizens of Xin Li! Listen carefully! Our country has received good news! Li Cai Ren is now appointed as Li Gui Fei for she is the lost daughter of Right Prime Minister Li!"

However, instead of everyone kneeling down or receiving the good news in joy, a cloud grew across their faces.

"Look at how the Empress is being treated! What everything that has been told today must be the truth!"

"Tut tut, poor Empress Feng!"

"After all the Great General's merits, this is what he has received in return."

"Aiyoo, that Li Cai Ren is just a nasty girl from the Li family!"

"Between the generous Feng family and the robbers like the Li family, the royal family truly have the eyes."

Then, out of nowhere, an egg flew towards the puzzled Royal Guard and landed straight on his head. Not long after, people began throwing more things at the Royal guard that he could no longer stand and had to leave.

The uproar among the citizens grew and in no time it was spread around the entire Kingdom.

Hence, the most talked news was not about the virtuous Li Gui Fei, but instead about the Phoenix that rose from the dead who had heaven's side.

The crowd grew and amongst the crowd, there were two men dressed in clean black robes that stood slightly further away. Both of them wore a black hat to cover their faces and in one of their hands, there was a sword kept in their calves.

One of them raised their hand from their side and crossed it in front of them, "Zi Shu, from what this young master sees it, the Emperor has truly taken a loss this time. Look, that court lady in that purple dress seems to be the cause of this uproar...hm, I wonder what the Empress is thinking."

"Young Master, it seems the Empress is not as simple as we thought she was."

"It can't be that a cat wants to be a tiger so soon? It's such some little play trick. Haa, well, at least there was some good news to hear this morning. Let's go, we shall prepare our Yan Hua for prime minister Li for he shall surely come and enjoy our music tonight."

"Yes, young master."

"Hm, let's go."

Then, the two completely vanished among the crowd and were never seen again, as if they had never been there in the first place.

As words broke out, more people began talking about it and the surrounding towns caught words of it. Words spread like a wildfire and soon the border line caught words of the Empress' mistreatment.

Great General Feng who was sitting with his generals and lieutenants was going through their daily meeting. On one side was Feng Furen and on the other side was the young master Feng. However, just as they were in the middle of their discussion, a soldier quickly ran inside to inform the General news from the capital.

"General Feng, there has been some news sir!"

"Hm, what is it?"

"It is about the Empress sir, Niang Niang, she…"

"Don't let father wait, carry on." It was the young master of the Feng family, Feng Lin who was two years younger than his eldest sister, Hui Lan.

"The Empress' palace was lit on fire yesterday night sir, moreover, words have spread in the market that the Emperor has been neglecting her highness."

!!BANG!!

The Great General's hands fell on the table hard. Not long, his hands both were clenched into fists.

"Who dares messes with my daughter! Quick, send a military request to this Royal son in law of mine, that I, General Feng request to meet my daughter!"

"Yes, General!"

"Hong Yi, I want to go with you." It was Feng Furen who had been quiet all this time. In her voice there was no negotiation to be made and everyone knew what General Feng would reply.

"Yes, my love."

"Father-"

"You stay here Feng Lin, mother and father will be back. We need you to take care of the border line." It was Feng Furen who quickly stopped her son.

To that, it was the final words.

The meeting between the generals was over and everyone dispersed to their own duties.

.

.

.

Back in the Royal Central Hall

After Eunuch Wu had spoken his words, the Emperor's eyes turned cold and his face darkened.

It was none other than the wildfire news that was being told in the capital.

Prime Minister Xin and the second prince took a small glance at each other. This look, both of them knew well.

...Something must have happened, and it seemed, it was not good news.

On the other hand, the hall was silent and no one spoke a word for they all felt the chilliness coming from the Emperor.

The first prince's brows became slightly knitted for he had not expected this outcome.

...Hm, what could have happened…

Without looking at his ministers, Emperor Yang Long dismissed everyone with a brush of his sleeves.

"Dear officials, you are dismissed!" It was Eunuch Wu who made the announcement.

Meanwhile, the second prince, Shen Kun and the left prime minister, Xin Xie Ye both stayed behind like usual. However, there was an addition of the first prince, Shen Min Tian.

After seeing all of his officials gone, the Emperor could see that one more person did not leave, "What is it, first prince? Do you want to talk with Zhen? If so, Zhen will talk with you later."

The first prince slowly looked up at Emperor Yang Long and then revealed a smile that did not reach his eyes, "I hope Bixie will deal with this justly. Chen will take my leave."

Then the first prince, Shen Min Tian finally took his leave.

Meanwhile, both the second prince, Shen Kun and the left prime minister, Xie Ye could not help but shake their heads.

...Two tigers could not live in the same place.

It was the second prince that brought his fan out and began fanning himself as he watched his half brother, Shen Min Tian walk away aloofly.

"Tut tut, truly a smart man, he caught the whoof of things so fast." The second prince then turned to look at his brother, "Ge! What happened?"

Emperor Yang Long's hand turned into a fist, "Feng. Hui. Lan!"

"Eh? What does sister-in-law have anything to do with this?" It was very unlikely that this sister-in-law of his would cause any trouble. Over the years, she had been famous for how unproblematic she was.

The left prime minister slowly stepped up towards the second prince and whispered, "From what I see, I think this time she must have revealed her claws. This time, she has also hurt Biao Ge, so badly."

Second Prince, Shen Kun closed his fan before exclaiming in shock, "Her?"

Prime minister Xie Ye simply nodded in response.

"Eunuch Wu, where is the Empress?"

.

.

.

Ping An Palace

The Empress Dowager's palace was receiving guests since early in the morning. This time it was none other than the Empress.

From the door, Empress Feng made her way in swiftly. She was dressed in a purple dress that made her look like she was floating as she walked. The dress swayed as she made her way in. Just like yesterday, she placed a purple veil with the same cloth as her dress which made her look mysteriously beautiful.

Behind her, was Su Rong following closely and behind Su Rong was a small creature that was breathing heavily as it walked clumsily with its two feet.

Hui Lan would not have gotten dressed if it were not for Su Rong who persisted. Hence, the young lady was all dressed up and could not be found with any flaws.

As Hui Lan walked inside, both the Empress Dowager Xin and the Royal Physician Jin were looking at the Empress. However, the Royal Physician Jin who was dressed in white robes was particularly looking at someone else behind Hui Lan. However, she kept her head low and did not even spare any look towards his direction.

"Ah-Lan, what is it that you would like to meet with Aijia this early?" The Empress Dowager was the first to speak.

"Chenqie, greets Taihou." Hui Lan gave the Empress Dowager Xin a bow before anything else.

"Hm, you can relax. Come and sit with Aijia at the table over there."

"Yes." Hui Lan then went forward to help the support the Empress Dowager on one side while the Royal Physician Jin supported the Empress Dowager on the other.

Once all three settled down at the long table that was on the balcony outside the Ping An palace, the court ladies all placed tea sets for the three.

Xiao Mao walked to Hui Lan's side and tweeted, "Miss, can I sit with you?"

Hui Lan looked down at Xiao Mao and made up her mind, in the end, to pick up Xiao Mao and place him on her lap, "Be good ok?"

"En!"

"Now, What is it that you would like to meet with me, hm? I heard you cancelled your meeting with the concubines and that you were sick. I did not think that you would come to see me."

Hui Lan looked down slightly and carefully spoke, "Actually, Chenqie came to see Royal Physician Jin. Chenqie became interested in medicine and would like to learn from him."

"From Ah-San?" Empress Dowager Xin was slightly surprised by the Empress' sudden request.

The Empress nodded silently before lowering her eyes.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Royal Physician who she has been treating like her son and spoke, "Ah-San, you choose if you want to be her mentor. Aijia, will not force you."

Hui Lan quickly looked up to the Royal Physician with anticipation before her hopes were shattered, "No."

...No!?

...This young lad looked like a good person, but why was his personality this cold!? Hui Lan could not help but bad mouth the Royal Physician in her mind.

...Fine, then let this jie be heartless back.

"Royal Physician Jin, Bengong has heard of a medicine called Dragon's Blood. I wonder if you have heard of it? I just happened to come across the prescription of how to refine it, that's all." Hui Lan's eyes showed some provocation.

As if having pulled a trigger, the Royal Physician's brows became knitted, "Empress Feng, please talk with this Physician over there. This matter is very grave."

"Oh? Yes." Hui Lan accepted it wholeheartedly.

...It was just that yesterday, she had across a book of this one medicine that had caused the uproar of the entire medical world of this kingdom because of its remedies. However, no matter how many times people tried, all would fail.

However, her mother was one of the best people who knew about medicine and along with Uncle Xiao Bai who had taught her since she was young, it was easy for her to know why many had failed and all failed because of something small that all overlooked.

The Royal Physician Jin led the way to the end of the balcony while Hui Lan followed. The pair were still in sight, but no one could hear them.

Physician Jin turned around and quickly spoke what he wanted,"Empress Feng, please tell me the prescription."

Hui Lan could not help but smile underneath her veil, "I'm afraid I don't have it."

"What!?"

Hui Lan's eyes turned cold, "Prince Shen Fu Jin, Bengong thinks you should not be talking to Bengong this way. You knew how my son died, but you kept quiet, why?"

The third prince's eyes wavered slightly before returning to normal, "This Physician is sorry. It was the Emperor's orders."

"It seems you people truly are all heartless. Even a little prince died unjustly, you guys all just don't care!? Especially you, who is a doctor! What can you say of yourself!?" As Hui Lan spoke, she could not help but become more and more infuriated.

If her son was poisoned, then the first person who knew would be the Royal Physician, but there was no such report from him.

"...No." The physician's voice became soft.

"Sigh. Bengong will not talk about it, but I believe you owe me a favour, third prince?" There was nowhere that third prince, Shen Fu Jin could get away from Hui Lan's net.

...She questioned the only thing that made him feel good about himself which was his morals as a doctor.

This time, Hui Lan had the upper hand in the decision.

In the end, the third prince could only reply, "Fine."

However, just then, a loud announcement was made from the door, "The Emperor arrives!"

In no time, the Emperor emerged from the door to the balcony. His cold eyes looked around the area and landed on the two figures that stood together at the end of the balcony.

Just as Hui Lan turned around, her eyes were caught into the other person's cold pair of eyes.

A small smile was revealed on her face, "It seemed her plan must have worked and it worked really well."

Without thinking twice, Hui Lan took a step forward and her dress elegantly grazed along the floor as she walked.

"Chenqie greets the Emperor."

Tut tut, it has just only begun...Mr Emperor